Officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs and SWC said besides APECF they were also closely watching the activities of other I/NGOs in bordering areas. “Intelligence inputs being received from across the border have led us to monitor activities of more than 20 I/NGOs working in the bordering villages in central and western Nepal,” said high-level officials, who refused to share details on such organisations, citing the sensitivity of under-investigation matters reports The Himalayan Times daily.

According to report, Social Welfare Council today stated that it had started necessary process to blacklist the Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, a Chinese non-governmental organization, for its lack of transparency and accountability.

According to the regulatory body, APECF has not submitted its audit reports to the council after the Hong Kong-based INGO signed the general agreement and a project agreement with the council. “SWC has even failed to establish contact with APECF to invite it for wrap-up evaluation and closure of its bank accounts,” Rimal told this daily.

APECF Executive Vice-chairman Xiao Wuan, country representative Liu Jianli or its local partner NGOs did not respond to SWC despite several attempts, according to SWC. “The council has no information on what the Chinese NGO had done in Lumbini region or other project districts, including Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa and Nuwakot.”

APECF had selected 17 VDCs in these four districts to run a year-long education and three-year long agriculture projects from 2013-2017, according to SWC’s record.